Would 3 at the back work?

Back in 1990 England reached the semi finals of the World Cup in Italy. While we started with a conventional 4-4-2, Bobby Robson was quick to utilise a 3 at the back system when we faced a Dutch side that had ripped us apart in the 88 Euros.
Robson continued with the 3 man backline in the knockout stages, in which we went agonisingly close to reaching our second World Cup Final.

Now, looking at our squad, it got me wondering if Roy Hodgson would be wise to follow Sir Bobbys example to get through a difficult group.

Of course there are positives and negatives for the system. One obvious negative is trying to change a long held game plan so close to the finals.

Some of the positives are..

Our full backs who are likely to be going to Brazil are far better offensively. Baines and Johnson would be my picks for this system.
Our wingers have often been strikers played out of position (Welbeck and Sturridge). This has led to them being rather ineffective and also defensively naive.
It would give flexability to our midfield. It takes away the need for a DM, which I don't think we necessarily have. In Italia 90 we went with the likes of Platt, Gazza and Waddle. None were tackling types, but good on the ball and, equally important for this system, great engines. You can see some similarities with the likes of Gerrard, Wilshere, Cleverley, and Barkley. Both Carrick and Barry can also fit into the system if Hodgson wants someone who is capable of sitting a bit deeper.
It would, imo, also suit Rooney. For me most of his best performances for England have been when he can drop back and allow runners past him. In this system I can see him playing behind a pacy striker like Sturridge or even Walcott.

Of course the biggest change would be at the back. Do we have the CBs to make a 3 work? One advantage of seeing United use Smalling and Jones at right back is that they can fit easily into the role of a right sided CB of a 3. Jagielka is a naturally comfortable left sided CB.

---------------------Hart---------------------------
---------Jones--Cahill---Jagielka-------------
G.Johnson-----------------------------Baines
--------------Wilshere--Gerrard-------------
----------------------Barkley-------------------
--------------Rooney---Sturridge---------------

or

---------------------Hart---------------------------
---------Jones--Cahill---Jagielka-------------
--------------------Carrick-----------------------
G.Johnson--Gerrard--Wilshere--Baines
--------------Rooney-----------------------------
------------------------Sturridge--------------


I think it could work, do you?